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B. Fill in the blanks with the correct be-verb to complete the following sentences.
1. I ____________ near the area when the fire started.
2. The cars _____________ stuck in the bumper-to-bumper traffic.
3. You _________ once a baby who doesn’t want to be away from your mother.
4. I __________ excitedly waiting for the release of “X-Men: Dark Phoenix”.
5. “Hey, Pedro! Your bus mother ____________ looking for you.”
B. Write the meaning of the following idioms, then use each in a sentence.
Sentence : ________________________________________________________
Sentence : _______________________________________________________
Sentence : _______________________________________________________
Sentence : _______________________________________________________
Sentence : _______________________________________________________
“Must you leave again, Dad? My birthday will be next month, and you’re going to miss
it again.” I recalled my plea to my father as he was packing up to leave again. He has
been a seaman since he was 17 years old and was always going away for work ever
since. In fact, when he and Mom got married, he immediately left just, after three days.
He was away during our births, graduations, and special occasions. He made his presence
felt, though, through phone calls.
As the child of a seaman, I should be getting used already to his absence. However,
as I grow older, I am feeling more the emptiness and the longing. It isn’t enough that he
calls or sends packages on our special days. We need his physical presence here. We
Third Long Test || English 4||Page 2 of 3
have to bear school programs and other special occasions without him. One time, I nearly
punched a classmate who mocked me that I didn’t have a father. During family days,
their fathers would be joining them in the games, laughing and having fun together. Of
course my mother was always there, but it would be different if Dad were there, too.
Mom would always feel our sadness. She would just say, “You know why Dad has to
leave and work. It’s all for your studies, your future.” She would then embrace us and we
would all be in tears.
Indeed, they are saving up for our future. Much as Dad is earning a lot, Mom keeps
us on a tight budget, spending only for what is needed and important. She often reminds
us that life on the sea is not safe. We do not know what will happen tomorrow. There is
possible danger storm, tidal waves, and even coming from humans such as pirates. Once
we heard on the news of a very strong storm crossing the path of Dad’s ship, our family
could hardly sleep. Mom led us in praying. I myself used to carry a small prayer book for
travelers that I often read and prayed wholeheartedly in school, in between
studies and games. Thus, we understood that we have to be content with what we have.
When Dad comes home for a vacation, it is a much-awaited moment. We wake up
early and prepare ourselves to meet him at the airport. Mother tags all six of us and turns
the rented jeepney into a mini home with food she has prepared the night before. There
are a lot of sandwiches good for the whole day so that we won’t have to spend for our
meals elsewhere. However, the sandwiches always end up in the refrigerator at the end
of the day.
It is a great joy when Dad finally appears at the gate. We jump up and down and call
out his name. When he does see us, we can also see the happiness on his face. He hugs
each one of us and then Mom gets a bonus kiss. As always he asks us where we want to
eat. We look at Mom then, she reminds dad that there’s food on the jeepney. And Dad
says, it is cause for celebration and Mom gives in. I don’t know why she still prepares
those sandwiches every time.
Much as we are excited to have him home, and as much as we like to embrace him,
somehow his constant absence has created a wall between him and us. We don’t return
his hug as tight as we want. We are hesitant as though he was a complete stranger.
Later, as he excitedly distributes our pasalubong, we only say a polite ‘thank you’. Dad
tries to hide his dismay, but I guess he also understands. Mom has to nudge us quietly so
we would show our gratitude more visibly. But all of us are tongue-tied and all the more
embarrassed for not knowing how to act. Dad himself comes nearer and asks about our
studies or our playmates. Our brief answers are barely a whisper. He then let us go and
we show off our toys to our playmates outside.
When Dad is home, he makes up for his absences. He cooks different meals for us.
He fetches us to and from our school. We travel to a nearby city and enjoy the sights,
watch a movie and even have a picnic. When everyone is having fun and enjoying one’s
another company, we always hope that the togetherness would never end. However, time
flies fast, and Dad’s one month vacation is over before we know it. Just as we are getting
used to him, he goes away again. As time draws near, we can feel his sadness. He is
often at our side even when we are at play, or he asks us to watch TV with him.
On his departure, he wants us all to see him off at the airport. Just before he enters
the gate, he hugs us tightly one by one. Once he finally hugs Mom, all of us are in tears,
including Dad. When the plane takes off, we all run to the fence and wave at the big
metal aircraft carrying our Dad to his destination. I whisper the prayer, “God, please keep
Dad safe until he is home with us once more.”
Third Long Test || English 4||Page 3 of 3
A. Identify the meaning of the underlined word in each sentence. Choose your answer
from the box and write its letter on the line.
V. Writing a Paragraph
Write a prayer for your family.
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